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UK return plea in Laos drug case UK return plea in Laos drug case
(about 1 hour later)
The sister of a sick Briton serving a life sentence for drug smuggling in Laos has pleaded for him to be allowed to complete his term in a UK prison.The sister of a sick Briton serving a life sentence for drug smuggling in Laos has pleaded for him to be allowed to complete his term in a UK prison.
John Watson, 47, from Bradford, was named by fellow British drugs prisoner Samantha Orobator as the father of her unborn child - conceived while in jail.John Watson, 47, from Bradford, was named by fellow British drugs prisoner Samantha Orobator as the father of her unborn child - conceived while in jail.
The 20-year-old of Peckham, south London, returned to the UK this month.The 20-year-old of Peckham, south London, returned to the UK this month.
The Foreign Office, which says it has concerns about Watson's health, is in talks with Laos about another transfer.The Foreign Office, which says it has concerns about Watson's health, is in talks with Laos about another transfer.
Orobator, who had been caught smuggling heroin, was allowed back to the UK almost three weeks ago as part of a new prisoner transfer arrangement.Orobator, who had been caught smuggling heroin, was allowed back to the UK almost three weeks ago as part of a new prisoner transfer arrangement.
She had claimed she had artificially inseminated herself while in prison using Watson's semen.She had claimed she had artificially inseminated herself while in prison using Watson's semen.
He's suffering now - he needs to be with his family now and his loved ones Watson's sister, Pat He's suffering now - he needs to be with his family now and his loved ones Watson's sister, Pat class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00m9pd5/Victoria_Derbyshire_25_08_2009/">Hear the full Radio 5 live interview
Her pregnancy meant she avoided Laos's mandatory death penalty, although Amnesty International has reported that no-one has been executed in the country since 1989.Her pregnancy meant she avoided Laos's mandatory death penalty, although Amnesty International has reported that no-one has been executed in the country since 1989.
However, reports suggest that Watson has since been moved from Phonthon prison in Vientiane, the Laotian capital, to another jail which the Foreign Prisoner Support Service campaign group claims was renowned for torture. His exact whereabouts are unknown to his family.However, reports suggest that Watson has since been moved from Phonthon prison in Vientiane, the Laotian capital, to another jail which the Foreign Prisoner Support Service campaign group claims was renowned for torture. His exact whereabouts are unknown to his family.
Watson's sister, who gave her name only as Pat, told BBC Radio 5 live's Victoria Derbyshire show she had been told his health was deteriorating.Watson's sister, who gave her name only as Pat, told BBC Radio 5 live's Victoria Derbyshire show she had been told his health was deteriorating.
"I want them to let him come home and serve his time in prison over here," she said."I want them to let him come home and serve his time in prison over here," she said.
"If he's... guilty then he's got to pay the price. But he's suffering now. He needs to be with his family now and his loved ones.""If he's... guilty then he's got to pay the price. But he's suffering now. He needs to be with his family now and his loved ones."
She said she understood the Laos authorities would not allow her brother home until he had paid a £19,000 fine.She said she understood the Laos authorities would not allow her brother home until he had paid a £19,000 fine.
"We're just a normal working family. There's no way we can get that amount of money.""We're just a normal working family. There's no way we can get that amount of money."
Watson was jailed for life in 2006, following his arrest for smuggling amphetamines three years earlier while on holiday with his former girlfriend.Watson was jailed for life in 2006, following his arrest for smuggling amphetamines three years earlier while on holiday with his former girlfriend.
Transfer hopeTransfer hope
Pat said she had no idea whether her brother was the father of Orobator's baby and had last seen him five years ago, when he had already lost weight.Pat said she had no idea whether her brother was the father of Orobator's baby and had last seen him five years ago, when he had already lost weight.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said: "Mr Watson has put in a request for transfer to a UK jail under the UK/Lao Prisoner Transfer Agreement.In a statement, the Foreign Office said: "Mr Watson has put in a request for transfer to a UK jail under the UK/Lao Prisoner Transfer Agreement.
"The FCO supports this request and we are currently discussing his case with the Lao government."The FCO supports this request and we are currently discussing his case with the Lao government.
"We have been concerned by a deterioration in his health and have raised these concerns with the Lao government."We have been concerned by a deterioration in his health and have raised these concerns with the Lao government.
"We are in regular contact with the Lao authorities regarding Mr Watson's detention and hope that he will be transferred to the UK soon.""We are in regular contact with the Lao authorities regarding Mr Watson's detention and hope that he will be transferred to the UK soon."